Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Busy crafting lately...

...so my house is not so tidy to say the least. But I love what I've been doing!! Making flowers again! Found the tutoral for a new felt flower while browsing Pinterst (addicting!!!)
The idea for this felt Camelia flower came from Joy at How Joyful. You can find the tutoral and FREE printable pattern (love that) at her blog.

I made one in grey for our newest girl and liked it so much that I made one in pink for Littlest...no pictures of hers though. I think it turned out great and it was oh so easy!!

(Sorry, we don't have the greatet camera.)



I also came across the greatest idea on Pinterest for a message board for couples. Check it out:
Isn't it beautiful?!! Let's say he washes dishes for you one night...the next day or whenever you could write that on the board. Or you could write about how he always brings you coffee in the a.m. Anything.

I made this one for a friend but am totally making one for me and the hubs!!!!

This idea came from Lianne over at A Content Housewife. Go here for her tutorial on how to recreate your own! It's so easy, so inexpensive and so beautiful!!

I came up with a poem to go with this message board since I was giving it to a friend. This is what I  wrote:


Use the marker to tell him why

You love him and are glad he’s your guy..

Take the time to let him know

And watch the love between you grow.

Feel free to use it if you are giving yours as a gift.
Anyway, that's what I've been crafting. What have you been up to lately?


Lovin' Learnin'



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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Our New Workboxes


So way back when we began using the workbox system. Well, like most people we tweaked the idea to fit our homeschool style and space, you can read about it here. The idea worked great but it's been time for a change for quite some time. Enter my newest idea.


I had been checking out some craft storage carts at Michael's for, oh, say about 1 YEAR...yeah, I don't spend my money hastily...but could not bring myself to spend the $70 bucks they were wanting for them...times two! So, at Michael's they would sit.


Well for my birthday and Christmas I received Michael's gift cards. I was so excited. I checked out the sales ads the week after Christmas and saw that the storage items were 40% off!! Woot!! I also had the coupon for $5 off every $25 dollars spent...double woot!!!


The Monday after Christmas Biggest and I drove on into town with a mission: "Purchase those craft carts. Pronto."


Well thankfully there were about 3 left in the store by the time we got there and they were on sale for $34.99 - 50% off!!! Triple woot!!! So, with my discount, gift cards and the coupon for $5 off every $25 spent I purchased two of those babies!!!


Can I say that I LOVE THEM!! And they were so easy to put together!! They are not of gigantic size, they are slim...like I wish I were...they are colorful but not loud, they seem sturdy enough...but we'll see, Littlest will put them to the test I'm sure and my girls LOVE them!!! They (in the 3 short days that we have used them) have helped keep our school day organized!!


They come with 10 drawers...plenty for us...and have a nice shelf on top for extra stuff. I'm so in love with this purchase and the great deal I got!


Hubby was concerned about where I'd put them and honestly I was too as we have a houseful but they are just the perfect size and fit well in the living room.


Knowing me that will not be their final resting place...does anyone else have the bad habit of creative energy making one change living room furniture around all.the.time? Hubby goes with it but I know it drives him crazy. He's so great..I love him!!


Anyway, we honestly don't use all of those great numbers and labels that most people who use workboxes do. I did when we did our last system but I don't find it necessary this time around. Maybe the girls are old enough to just get in and get it done? Maybe the colored drawers are enough? I don't know but this system is so easy and straightforward. Perfect for my season of life!


Anyway, if you feel so inclined, check out Michael's...I've seen these carts on sale again since I've purchase them and Michael's is getting ready to have another great sale on Sunday from 1 - 7 pm...if you shop on Sundays.


And do you wanna see what I made with the boxes those carts came in? Here ya go:
Sorry it's blurry, a certain long-haired chihuahua thought he needed a picture taken...so camera focused on HIM instead...grrr...




Fabric covered boxes...FREE and made to my desired measurements!!! I followed this tutorial-sort of. Can't help it, I tweak everything!!!


Anyway, I'll post later about how things are going with our Christian Light curriculum...in a word...great. Details to come!!


Lovin' Learnin'

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

A sweet gift for a sweet chef.

We recently found a wooden kitchen for our preschooler that we are going to sand down and paint. To go with that gift I have made this little chef's set. I found it here. It is quite easy to sew and turned out very cute! The tutorial is easy to follow so if you're so inclined try it out for yourself!





Can't wait for her to see them!! I'll post a picture of her in these after Christmas some time.

So, what's on your last minute gift giving list?

Update!

So she opened the gifts and LOVED them!! Check her out!!


So yes, they were bigger than I thought they would be. I knew they'd be big but I wanted the big girls to be able to use them too. I need to add some velcro to the back of the chef's hat so that I can adjust the size (I was waiting until she opened it to do that so I could add in a sufficient amount. The apron is just plain big but I have enough fabric to make another...I should have guessed that one cause she is so tiny for her age!

Also you can see from the pictures that we haven't found the time to sand and paint the kitchen set. Did I ever mention that life is busy with 5 kids, homeschooling, ministry and running (sort of  :/) a home? We'll get to it. Littlest actually wants blue. I'm thinking of something very soft but that's a project for another time...soon hopefully!

Anyway, these turned out so adorable!! Check out the tutorial!!

Lovin' Learnin'


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Monday, November 7, 2011

For Sale

With the addition of baby #5 the amount of space in our home has quickly shrunk (I didn't even think it could shrink anymore!!) Since I have been a lover of books and buying them I have TONS of books that hubby sweetly suggests we can let go of. Honestly you have no idea how hard it has been to let some of these go. My girls kept saying, "Mom, we have too many, we don't need that one." Sigh, it has to be done-for the sake of our sanity and orderliness in the home. So, all of the following are for sale.

Since I need these gone asap and I LOVE a good deal all books are priced as follows (unless otherwise noted):

Paperbacks -.50 cents
Hardbacks - 1.00

That's it! You can click on the slideshow below to be taken to the web album. Thanks for looking!! Email me with any questions. Shipping will be calculated at actual shipping cost.

I will be adding more later this week so check back! And if the picture is still there then the book is still available!




Lovin' Learnin'

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Frugal Fall Wreath

Since our family is so big we are always looking for ways to do things frugally. When we go out to eat we are always looking for the least expensive way to feed our group, when we shop we do it frugally by going to thrift shops-you can find some GREAT things at those places! Decorating is no different. I'd been searching blogland for just about anything DIY on the frugal side and came across an adorable Fall Wreath that cost only $3.00! I was instantly interested, read the post and about a week later found myself creating my own Frugal Fall Wreath. You can find the original post at Thrifty Decorating. She's got tons of other great things to read about as well.

Here's how to pull it off:

Gather your items:
Two packs of fall leaves from the Dollar Tree. (Mine came in a combo of red and green and orange and green.)

Large foam core board (also from Dollar Tree), scissors, glue gun and a ruler.
Sorry I had already cut my board out before I thought to take a picture but you all know what a foam core board looks like I'm sure. :)
So as you can see I cut a big ol' square out of the middle of my board. I didn't have any real plan to that, just kind eyeballed it. I did find the middle of the board, marked it and then made sure that my square was even on both halves so that my cut wouldn't be too lopsided one way or the other. You can make your board as big or small as you'd like  just make sure that your square cut-out is even all the way around. If you have questions about this feel free to ask and I'll go back and measure my board for ya.

Then start glueing down your leaves with your glue gun. I glued my layer of green down first since I had so many of that color. If I were to do it again however I would completely cover all white areas with the green leaves and save the brighter orange and red for the top layers. I say this because I had to go back at the end and fill in the white spots with the leftover green since I had only 25 each of the red and orange.
Once you are done with the green layer (imagine all white areas covered by green leaves here) glue down your orange and red leaves anyway you would like. Make sure to cover the board complelety and to hang the outer leaves off the edge of the board a little so that the sides are hidden.

Once you are doing glueing you are ready to hang that beauty up. And what is nice is that this wreath is so light you don't need a large hanger for it. I actually used a teeny tiny suction cup with a small hook because I forgot to purchase a hanger while shopping for supplies. The teeny tiny suction cup is doing fabulous by the way!

I hope that if you try it yours turns out great! And isn't that out of the ordinary square shape just lovely?!!!! 

Lovin' Learnin'


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Monday, September 19, 2011

The Shunning DVD Review & Giveaway

Do you remember the book The Shunning by Beverly Lewis? I remember reading it as a teenager and although I have never been a big fan of fiction I found this book to be a terrific one. Well now they are coming out with a DVD version. Great for this busy Mom who seldom has anytime to read anything anymore!


Watch the trailer here.


Here's some background:


Before she succumbs to cancer, the dying wish of Laura Mayfield-Bennett is to be reunited with the daughter she never knew. Unfortunately, that daughter, Katie Lapp, is a member of the Amish order. Katie is about to be married, but uneasy about the path ahead. Now she discovers the secret her parents have kept from her: she's adopted.


The movie is great! Even hubby watched it (don't think he'd say it was great but he did enjoy it.) I actually fell asleep during our first viewing (ah, life with a newborn) so I had to watch it again.


The acting is great, the lead actress even sings a little song that is sweet. From what I remember of the book the movie holds true to the original plot.


The movie is refreshingly clean.  Not a hint of violence or vulgar speech. The story is pure and this would qualify as a great family film. There are however a couple of kisses exchanged between the main characters. The film was given the Dove.org family approval for all ages and Beverly Lewis herself is very happy with the finished product. The film has been so well accepted in fact that the sequel is already in the works.


Now for the fun part. I have the opportunity to offer 1 copy of this DVD to one of my readers. If you enjoyed the book series then you may want to enter cause I have a hunch you'll enjoy the movie version too!!!


Here's the details:
This is an easy one to enter!
  1. Follow me on GFC.
  2. Like The Shunning on Facebook.
Giveaway begins tonight, Monday, Sept. 19th and will last until Monday, Sept. 26th. The winner will be chosen and announced that evening.

And PLEASE don't forget to leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win. I would hate for a winner to miss out simply for that reason!!

Thanks for stopping by!!


"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."



Lovin' Learnin'

Theo Giveaway WINNERS!!!!!

First of all let me apologize for not getting the winners announced this morning like I said I would. My newborn has been a bit uncooperative today but is finally peaceful. My apologies, but this blog runs on family time. :)


Now, on to the winners. The winners were picked using Random.org's True Random Generator.


The two winners are
comment #8:

Blogger michelle said...
I "liked" it on facebook!
September 16, 2011 10:05 AM
and comment #12:
Blogger Lynn @ TDHGP said...
I think the Forgiveness episode would be amazing.
September 19, 2011 10:12 AM

Congrats to you two ladies! You're gonna LOVE this DVD. Please email me so that I can get your mailing information. We want to get these DVDs to you asap.
Thanks to all who entered. And I'll have another giveaway for the DVD The Shunning up sometime tonight so stay tuned!!

Lovin' Learnin'